Most people have had something framed: a personal memento, a family photo, a special award. Some items that end up in frames are mundane, but it would be a mistake to think that the job of framing is without creative challenges. Teri Black-Carroll, a design consultant at Beard’s Framing in Vancouver, has framed a piece of the moon and Wilt Chamberlain’s American Express card. Such unusual projects are infrequent, and are no more important than the meaningful, personal, bread-and-butter-type jobs that Black-Carroll takes on every day. That’s why a job she thought would be temporary has become a lifelong passion that has provided Black-Carroll with a long career. “At first I thought it would be a few years getting away from the design table,” says the Washougal resident. “Now it IS my design table.”
Name: Teri Black-Carroll.
Residence city: Washougal.
Employer name: Beard’s Framing, 11325 S.E. Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver.
Educational/professional background: I have a Bachelor of Arts from Western Washington University and have worked for Beard’s Framing for 20-plus years. With a major in design and minor in art history, it just fit.
How you got started in your business: I started in 1986 after graduating from WWU and I’ve loved it ever since. I can’t imagine doing anything else. I’ve been all over in our company, from spending time working in our warehouse, to managing multiple store locations, to working at our corporate office on special projects. It’s new and exciting every day.
Personal/business philosophy: Do what you love, and love what you do. I love putting smiles on the faces of the people who come in each day.
